You can lessen these symptoms by drinking plenty of fluids and getting enough electrolytes. But a lack of fluids does raise your chances of getting kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Crystals made of waste products and minerals can build up in your kidneys and form hard stones, which can cause strong-smelling urine. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. And while asparagus itself doesnt have an odor, when it is digested, the sulfur bonds -- between the amino acids in The reasons why this happens are still being investigated. There's actually a scientific explanation, though; asparagus has asparagusic acid, which is responsible for the distinctive scent in your urine. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Tell them you are under the care of a medical doctor and if they are saying you are prohibited from using the common bathroom, you'll need that in writing on official company letterhead or email. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. Several key signs and symptoms can help you identify whether youre in ketosis. And in the meantime, invest in some Poo-Pourri. If you cant, thats called asparagus anosmia. It's a metabolic disorder in which your body can't break down trimethylamine, a compound that gets synthesized by bacteria in your gut when you eat foods high in choline and carnitine, like eggs and red meat. However, this particular side effect of eating asparagus doesnt happen to everyone, and some When followed correctly, this low carb, high fat diet will raise your blood levels of ketones. Here are the 6 best sweeteners for a keto diet. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Mens Health, Womens Health, Self, Glamour, and more. Urinary tract infections can cause a foul odour that some patients describe as rotten food or sweaty socks. The good news is that these vitamin-induced urine smells are harmless, so you can keep taking your daily vitamin supplements. This is because your sense of scent, like your perception of color, is determined by your genes. The stinky pee smell might not be related to your keto diet at all. Many creatures rely on their sense of smell to survive. Initially used to treat epilepsy in children in 1921, this high-fat, very low-carb diet grew to become a tool for weight loss, according to the National Library of Medicine's StatPearls. There are also long-term effects of a keto diet. Vaginal odor can be caused by these other factors as well: If changes in vaginal odor are accompanied by itching, burning, redness, or swelling, you'll want to see your healthcare provider to nail down the exact cause. When they follow up verbally--it will be verbal response--reply all on the same email chain and thank them for stopping by to confirm XYZ. Digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea are common side effects in the beginning (14). Health issues linked to douching include yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Regardless of whether you prefer the green, purple or white variety, asparagus provides a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and its consumption as part of a healthy diet may reduce risk of cancer and cardiovascular-related diseases. If cystine is in your urine, it may smell like rotten eggs. You may notice the smell as the fluid mixes with your pee. But your doctor can help you manage the smell. Here's what the keto flu is, why it happens. Dr. Ellerkmann has described it as smelling like maple syrup, burned sugar, or malt. Doing so may increase your risk of digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies. Asparagus Pee This process, the goal of a keto diet, is called ketosis. You might get this kind of fistula if you have cancer or an inflammatory condition, like Crohns disease or diverticulitis. According to some experts on the keto diet, nutritional ketosis is defined as blood ketones equal to or above 0.5 millimolar (mM) (8). Tbh, tons of totally harmless reasons could explain this. Initially, you may suffer from tiredness and low energy. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Things That Can Affect the Smell of Your Pee - WebMD Asparagus is a big culprit for smelly urine; in fact, your pee can start smelling like asparagus just 20 minutes after you eat it. Amy Krambeck, MD, Michael O. Koch professor of urology, Indiana University School of Medicine. The smell is present; you just can't detect it. Many people report decreased hunger while following a keto diet. In most cases, a strong smell isnt a sign of disease. Despite the nutritional benefits of asparagus, many are opposed to eating the vegetable due to its pungent aftereffects. This may further increase focus and improve brain function (20, 21). If your toilet bowl smells like a fish market gone bad, it could be trimethylaminuria (try saying that three times fast, or just one time, slow). 2. It means they dont have the right enzyme to break down the amino acid tyrosine. It has a strong odor that smells like urine or sweat. If they are really that stupid to go that far, you'll at least have them dead to rights if you do decide to get an attorney. When these amino acids build up, their pee or earwax starts to smell sweet. You may end up having the keto flu, which is basically a bunch of flu-like symptoms that often appear at the beginning of the keto diet. A different Reddit user agreed, responding: "Oh boy, yes. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Some foods and medications, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause a noticeable urine odor, even in low concentrations. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to Maybe I'm just a freak of nature!". Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. One of the hallmarks of a keto diet is a reduction in blood sugar levels and an increase in ketones. But back in the 17th century, urologists would analyze urine samples for diabetes by using three of their senses: sight, smell and taste. One small yet famous study found that athletes who had switched to a keto diet burned as much as 230% more fat when they exercised compared to athletes who werent following this diet (23). So why do only some people seem to experience this strong odor after eating asparagus? One is that some people simply dont produce the smell. Maybe you can conduct your own survey at the next family meal that includes a platter of asparagus or soon after. Bad bacteria that snuck its way into your bladder through your urethra often causes these strange odorous smells. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. Why Does My Child Have Stinky Pee So while plenty of people are sure the keto diet is the cause of their odorous vagina, no science yet supports this. Keeping the vulvar and vaginal area dry is another way to keep unwanted odors down. Terms of Use. Certainurine smells can be a sign of some conditions, but your doctor might not consider that to be the case unless you have other symptoms. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour. This odor has become so well known that post-consumption urine is now often referred to as asparagus pee.. "It's never normal for your vagina to have an odor," said Dr. Streicher. Urine Why Does My Urine Smell Strong Like Ammonia. Health posed that question to an OB-GYN, who said keto crotch has never been scientifically investigated. Does Tiger urine smell like popcorn? Pregnancy also raises your chances of urinary tract infections and ketonuria. If its dark yellow or an amber colour, theyre probably not drinking enough water.. But it doesnt represent a risky infection because its just bacteria that flourishes in the urine and then disappears. If you experience other symptoms like a burning sensation while peeing or a fever, see a doctor. That's the odor you'll notice as the chemical leaves your body. Go see your doctor right away. These include: Vitamins. Or it could just be something you ate. They have even been tested in a medical setting to treat brain diseases and conditions such as concussion and memory loss (16, 17, 18, 19). Medications. Short-term decreases in performance can occur. Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell? Cleveland Clinic Weight loss. Youll need another kind of medicine for viral infections. As many weight loss studies have shown, youll likely experience both short- and long-term weight loss when switching to a keto diet (2, 6). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Yep, some people online (shout-out to the Reddit page .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}r/xxketo!) The human nose has about 10 million olfactory receptors that determine how you perceive smells. A lot of people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically. Once it gets there, it stays there. If youre female, it may happen after you give birth or have a certain kind of operation. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid that is present in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds. Some stones are made from cystine, a substance with sulfur in it. Why Your Pee Stinks While on the Keto Diet - LeftoverSwap There are rare conditions that create a rotten smell, too. When voided from the body, they become foul-smelling gas, wafting up from your asparagus pee. But unfortunately, no research exists showing that diet alone can alter vaginal pH. 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Like Brussels sprouts, methyl mercaptan occurs naturally in the vegetable. Some antibiotics are made from mold and can make your urine smell yeasty. noticed that their vaginas started to emit an intense order after going on the low-carb diet. Learn these things your poop can teach about your health. I now dread coming in. This one's also a rare genetic disorder, but for those afflicted, the odor can also impact breath and sweat, according to Dr. Ellerkmann, so it's hard to get away from. This odor has become so well known that post Theyre responsible for most of the unique health benefits of the keto diet. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. Its entirely possible that you were just unlucky enough to develop an infection or other gynecological issue at the same time as you went keto, and that it has nothing to do with your diet, says Dr. Greves. And prenatal vitamins might change the way your pee smells. During the metabolism of asparagus, sulfur compounds in the asparagus are eliminated from the body through urine, which results in the pungent smell of urine. asparagus pee smells Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. Two hypotheses exist. Does Garlic Actually Treat Yeast Infections? If you follow keto and start noticing that your vagina smells bad, consider checking in with your OB-GYN. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University. So when you catch a whiff of a not-so-usual odor, it can really freak you out. Onions. Drinking more water can often help. I'm eating leafy greens. UPDATE: For everyone saying asparagus, I just checked my food diary and I last ate asparagus on October 13th. You may go to the bathroom a lot if you have a UTI. People born with this condition cant break down certain amino acids. This is great for weight loss, but not so great for your body odor. Brushing your teeth several times per day or using sugar-free gum can resolve the issue. These compounds are passed into the urine, giving it a peculiar smell. The smell of rotting fish is hard to ignore, and should especially be a red flag if you notice it in your pee. If you need to go, let it flow. Water-soluble vitamins are excreted into your urine, Dr. Kielb says. According to one study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism in November 2016, these urine markers are highest in the morning and after dinner. It also has its own odor profile that creates that familiar beer-pee smell. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. The 18th century French botanist Louis Lmery wrote that asparagus causes "a filthy and disagreeable smell in the urine, as everybody knows." Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. Why Does My Pee Smell? Asparagus, UTIs & More Things It Why Asparagus Makes Pee Smell Vitamins dissolve either in fat or water before they are absorbed by your body. It could, for example, be caused by urinary tract infection. These often cause people to quit the diet before they get into full ketosis and reap many of the long-term benefits. If youre prone to infections or bacteria, then the bacteria will grow and grow until you pee them out, says Dr. Comiter. He says that one cannot prevent the breakdown of asparagusic acid if they have the enzymes present in their body.. These receptors are regulated by hundreds of genes. And then theres keto diarrhea, which is about as fun as it sounds. To make one thing super-clear first, there's no research confirming that keto crotch is, in fact, a legit side effect of the keto diet. Research Scientist in Epidemiology, T.H. Overconsumption of coffee not only makes you wired; it could make your urine smell like a venti latte. After several decades of running on a carb-heavy fuel system, your body is forced to adapt to a different system. In addition to having an unfamiliar smell down there, some women are also reporting that theyve noticed a rash in their crotch area on the keto diet (fun!).